Which solvent is recommended for wipe-down of cleaned surfaces before painting?

• A. Aliphatic naphtha
• B. Acetone
• C. Water
• D. Ethanol

Answer: (A)

Removing oils, greases, and other contaminants from the surface before painting is essential for good paint adhesion. The wipe-down solvent should dissolve hydrocarbon residues without leaving reactive or interfering residues. Aliphatic naphtha is ideal because it’s a nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent that effectively dissolves oils and greases and dries cleanly, leaving a surface ready for primer and paint without harmful residues. Acetone, while a strong solvent, is highly polar and can attack certain coatings and plastics and may evaporate too quickly to fully cleanse the surface. Water can’t remove oil-based residues, and ethanol, though useful in some applications, is polar and can leave moisture or residues that interfere with certain finishes.